Utah Travel Headlines

Friday, April 29, 2005

Care Needed Because of Rain, Flooding

Streams have been at flood stage near Logan and Brigham City in northern Utah. There is also flood danger in the St George area in southern Utah, along the Virgin and Santa Clara rivers. Rain has been widespread over the past several days and forecasters call for more next week, keeping the danger high.

Flooding is not expected to significantly interfere with travel; secondary roads in a few local areas may be affected.

People involved in outdoor recreation need to be cautious because high stream flows pose real danger. The most common problems come when people try to wade or drive across swollen streams. High flows can undercut banks and make streamside trails unsafe. Flash floods can suddenly fill normally dry desert canyons. Deaths occur almost every year because people underestimate the danger posed by high streamflows.

Utah does not experience the widespread flooding occasionally seen in other areas. Our mountains and canyons channel water and so the areas of impact are normally restricted to the streams, banks and bridges. When flows are high, stay out of the water!